Microchip executives have quelled most of the dissent from its acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel. However, small pockets of discontent remain on three continents.

Microchip Technology has announced the receipt of antitrust clearance in US and Germany for its acquisition of Atmel

Microchip Technology has signed a deal to buy Atmel, which said last week that Microchip's unsolicited bid was superior to an agreement with Dialog Semiconductor.

Dialog Semiconductor said it won't raise bid for Atmel, improving the likelihood that Microchip Technology's offer for Atmel will succeed.

Microchip Technology is the semiconductor manufacturer which made the $3.8 billion unsolicited offer for peer Atmel that was disclosed last week, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

UK-based chip vendor Dialog Semiconductor announced its proposed $4.6 billion acquisition of Atmel has cleared regulatory review in the US in Germany-even as an activist hedge fund opposed to the deal boosted its stake in Dialog in hopes of blocking the transaction.

Cypress Semiconductor has withdrawn its offer for Atmel, the second failed attempt by the company to acquire a chipmaker this year.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc fell the most in almost seven years in Frankfurt trading after agreeing to buy Atmel for about US$4.6 billion - more than its own market value - to expand into the automotive industry and everyday objects that are increasingly connected to the Internet.

CEC is discussing a bid for Atmel, a maker of chips used in industrial machinery and cars, at about US$8.50 a share and the two sides are negotiating, people with knowledge of the process said.

Chip investors were handed a buying opportunity last week, as the group fell off a cliff on signs that the rising US dollar is crimping demand. But there is nothing fundamentally wrong with their industry.

Infineon Technologies has settled its patent infringement claim against Atmel, and both Infineon and Atmel have agreed to seek dismissal of all pending patent infringement claims.

Atmel has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Advanced Digital Design, a Spain-based developer of power line communication solutions. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in October.

Disruptions and shortages continue to loom over MCU product suppliers who are already facing severe pressure in the supply chain.

MagnaChip Semiconductor has signed a wafer foundry agreement with Atmel, a major provider of microcontrollers and touch solutions.

Over the years, ATREG has been involved in the sale of several fabs, including for clients Qimonda, Atmel, IDT, Freescale Semiconductor and others.

Atmel has agreed to sell its smart card business to Inside Contactless for US$37 million in cash and up to $21 million more if targets are met. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2010, subject to certain closing conditions.

Germany's LFoundry, an analog and mixed-signal foundry, has completed its previously-announced acquisition of Atmel's wafer fabrication operation in Rousset, France.

Mixed-signal foundry LFoundry (Landshut, Germany) plans to acquire Atmel's fab in Rousset, France, the site of recent worker unrest. CEO Michael Lehnert said the proposed acquisition will make LFoundry the largest analog foundry in Europe.

Angry workers at Atmel's fab in Rousset, France, have gone on an unlimited strike. The strike aims to protest against Atmel's decision to sell its site in Rousset without guaranteeing its employees.

Synaptics has posted solid year-over-year sales and earnings growth despite the tough economy thanks to its involvement in two hot product categories, notebook computers and smartphones.

After months of potential acquisition talks, Microchip Technology Inc Tuesday officially ended its pursuit of FPGA maker Atmel.

Responding to the IC downturn, Microchip Technology has lowered its forecast, taken pay cuts and reduced its IC production rates. "General economic and semiconductor industry conditions have continued to decline since our October earnings call," said Steve Sanghi, Microchip's president and CEO, in a statement. "As a result of these conditions, we are continuing with a pay cut for all of our worldwide non-manufacturing employees which was implemented during the December quarter."

Tejas Silicon Holdings (UK) has completed the acquisition of the Atmel wafer fabrication operation in Heilbronn, Germany. The sale follows a leasing agreement announced in September and its completion on December 31 has enabled Atmel to achieve its goal of reducing the number of its manufacturing facilities from five to two in 2008.

Semiconductor maker Atmel reduced its fourth-quarter revenue estimate and announced cost cuts that include an 11% reduction of its North American work force amid slumping chip demand.

The new center is expected to provide design and extended sales and engineering support for the company's growth in the Asian market. The company stated that the new office opening is a major strategic initiative as part of migrating its business model to that of a wholly owned Chinese enterprise.

...Microchip, which said it pulled out after On ended its pursuit of Atmel, may seek to team up with another company and make a new bid for Atmel, Suji De Silva, an analyst with Kaufman Bros., said in an interview. Microchip is still an interested buyer, De Silva said. There could be another partner or they may go it alone.

Microchip Technology and On Semiconductor stepped up their US$2.3 billion takeover attempt of Atmel Wednesday, saying they will nominate a dissident slate of directors for the chip maker's board.

The incorporation documents of Tejas Silicon Holdings (UK) Ltd. show that two of the executives of the company that has just bought the Germany fab operation of Atmel, are based in the United States. And apparently one of them, at least, has experience of running a mature fab operation.

Tejas Silicon Holdings has agreed to acquire the Heilbronn, Germany fab operation, including equipment, but will lease the facility and license fab process technology from Atmel. About 300 Atmel employees associated with fab operations and other support functions will become a part of Tejas Silicon, Atmel said. Atmel and Tejas Silicon will also enter into a supply agreement whereby Atmel will continue to procure products from the Heilbronn fab over a three-year period, Atmel said.